Bebop Scales

What Are Bebop Scales?

Bebop scales are usually played in bebop. Contrary to the heptatonic scales (seven pitches per octave) they contain eight notes (octatonic scales) including chromaticisms (chromatic passing tones). They are derived for the most of them from modes of the major scale but also from the harmonic minor and melodic minor scales.

Bebop scales from the major scale :

The major bebop scale :

Formula is 1-2-3-4-5-#5-6-7. This is the major scale including a passing tone (#5) between the fifth and the sixth.

The Dorian bebop scale :

Formula is 1-2-b3-3-4-5-6-b7. Compared to the Dorian mode this scale has an additional note, a major third, between the minor third (b3) and the fourth.

The dominant bebop scale :

Formula is 1-2-3-4-5-6-b7-7. This is the Mixolydian mode including a major seventh.

The Locrian bebop scale :

Formula is 1-b2-b3-4-b5-5-b6-b7. It has an additional fifth between the flat fifth (b5) and the minor sixth (b6).

The Phrygian dominant bebop scale :

Formula is 1-b2-3-4-5-b6-b7-7. This scale is derived from the fifth mode of the harmonic scale, the Phrygian dominant mode.

Other bebop scales :

The harmonic minor bebop scale :

Formula is : 1-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7-7 . This scale has a chromatic passing tone (b7) between the minor sixth (b6) and the major seventh (7).

The melodic minor bebop scale :

Formula is : 1-2-b3-4-5-#5-6-7. The melodic minor bebop scale is derived from the ascending form of the melodic minor scale, it has a chromatic passing tone between the 5th and 6th notes.

The Major Bebop Scale | Guitar Diagrams and Theory

The major bebop scale is an eight note scale. Check out this jazz guitar lesson with scale charts, guitar diagrams and jazz lines for a better understanding of this jazz scale.
The Dorian Bebop Scale | Lesson with Guitar Neck Diagrams and Patterns

Check out this jazz lesson with guitar fretboard diagrams, scale charts, theory and patterns to understand and play the Dorian bebop scale also known as minor bebop scale.
The Dominant Bebop Scale | Guitar Fretboard Diagrams, Interval Patterns and Licks

You will find in this jazz guitar lesson some patterns, neck diagrams, jazz lines and formula charts to master this dominant bebop scale.
The Locrian Bebop Scale | Guitar Diagrams and Patterns

The Locrian bebop scale is an octatonic scale, it has eight notes. It is a nice alternative to the Locrian mode when you want to play over m7b5 chords. You will find in this jazz lesson some guitar fretboard diagrams and fingerings.
The Phrygian Dominant Bebop Scale - Guitar Diagrams, Theory, Jazz Concepts, Exercises and Lines

Jazz guitar lesson with tab, diagrams, audio files, interval patterns, concepts and exercises about the Phrygian dominant bebop scale. How to use it over common jazz progressions found in jazz.